After nearly three weeks of preseason camp, Auburn has shifted from evaluation mode to game prep mode.
The Tigers are now turning their attention to Week 1 against Baylor, with the coming week serving as a mock game week before the real thing arrives next week. And after three weeks of work and two scrimmages, the picture on offense is getting clearer.
Some battles have tightened up. A few jobs look settled.
And a handful of newcomers have started pushing their way into bigger roles.
Here’s how Auburn’s offensive two-deep projects to look when it lines up against Baylor in just under two weeks.
At quarterback, Byrum Brown is the clear starter. There was never much of a race for the job after Brown arrived following three seasons as Alex Golesh’s starter at South Florida.
The backup spot drew more attention, but Ti’a held the edge for most of the offseason and won out over USF transfer Locklan Hewlett, who was the Bulls’ third-string quarterback last year. Ti’a enters the role after serving as Oregon State’s backup as a freshman.
Running back should give Auburn plenty of options. Jeremiah Cobb is the headliner, but the Tigers expect to lean on a deep and flexible group that could include three or four backs in a single game.
Bryson Washington, a former 1,000-yard rusher at Baylor, came in with plenty of buzz as a possible co-star with Cobb. Still, Omar Mabson II has spent most of spring practice and camp as the second back up, especially while injuries and conditioning issues slowed Washington at times.
Washington has started to come on in the last week, and both he and Mabson are expected to matter in the run game.
Receiver is where Auburn did the heaviest rebuilding. The Tigers lost a lot of 2025 production to the transfer portal and responded by bringing in five USF transfers, including the projected starting trio of Keshaun Singleton, Chas Nimrod, and Jeremiah Koger.
That said, Christian Neptune could easily work his way into the first group depending on how offensive coordinator Joel Gordon wants to deploy personnel. Neptune is more of a classic slot target than Nimrod and made a real impact for USF as a true freshman last season.
DeShawn Spencer is another slot option who had a breakout spring as a freshman, and Auburn may end up using six to eight receivers this season. That means names like Kory Pettigrew and Sam Turner could also enter the mix.
Tight end is another area Golesh wants to revive, and Auburn addressed it heavily through the portal. Jake Johnson sits atop the depth chart for now, with SEC experience from his time at Texas A&M.
He and Boardingham were the two biggest additions to the room, and Boardingham also brings SEC snaps from Florida. Johnson has the edge because Boardingham has dealt with injury issues this offseason.
Jonathan Echols and Xavier Newsom are other names to keep in mind, but Johnson and Boardingham are the current leaders.
Up front, the left side appears to be taking shape. Jo Simmons has had the left tackle job since spring after transferring from James Madison, where he started there during the Dukes’ run to the 2025 College Football Playoff.
Wilson Zierer, a true freshman, began drawing attention in the spring and gives Auburn an intriguing backup option. Both players can also handle right tackle if needed.
Left guard has been the most competitive spot on the roster. Plazz, a Miami transfer, was the first-team option for most of spring, but Jacob Strand made a strong push during preseason camp and now holds the edge.
Strand came from Oregon State and has most of his college experience at tackle, which is why the staff sees him as a versatile lineman who can work inside or outside. The battle is still alive, but for now Strand is in front.
Center is the most settled spot on the line. Cole Best remains the starter and the anchor of the unit after handling those same duties at USF. Kail Ellis is the backup after starting two games at center last year, and he looks like the likely future starter beyond this season.
On the right side, experience has helped settle things. Skinner, a USF transfer, entered camp with a strong chance to win the job because he already knew the offense, and that edge appears to have held. Stanford transfer Jack Leyrer gives Auburn another backup option, while Ward, a sophomore, has also earned praise from the staff.
At right tackle, Ramil has locked down a starting role after missing spring practice with an injury. He can play either side, but Simmons has gotten more work on the left this offseason.
Ramil started the 2025 season as Michigan State’s left tackle before injuries ended his year. Behind him, Pritchett and Zierer are interchangeable between the tackle spots, while Strand and Leyrer can also help there if they aren’t needed inside.
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